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Itchy balls could be a sign of a fungal infection, STI or chafing
ITCH YOU CAN'T SCRATCH

From STIs to chafing, what your itchy testicles REALLY mean (and when you should be worried)

BOYS, have you got an itch that just won't go away?

Itchy balls can be uncomfortable and extremely irritating.

 Itchy balls could be a sign of a fungal infection, STI or chafing
7
Itchy balls could be a sign of a fungal infection, STI or chafingCredit: Getty - Contributor

And in most cases scratching them can make it worse.

While it's normal to experience an itch every now and then, a constant need to scratch is never normally a good sign.

There are a number of reasons your testicles might be itching more than they should - nine, in fact.

So it's important to know what is causing your itch, so you know how to treat it and importantly how to prevent it happening again.

First things first, it's important to remember that if you are worried about any itch or rash down there, your best bet is to pop and see your GP.

In the meantime, here are nine of the most common reasons your balls might be itching...

 If you're worried about a rash or an itch on your balls you should see a GP
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If you're worried about a rash or an itch on your balls you should see a GPCredit: Getty - Contributor

1. Jock itch

Jock itch, also known as tinea cruris, can be quite common down there - especially in boys who exercise a lot.

It's a fungal infection that affects the groin.

Fungal infections are common in areas of the body that are damp and warm, like in the folds of skin.

Jock itch is a red rash that often looks similar to ringworm and can become scaly.

Tinea cruris can be very itchy.

A yeast infection can also cause your balls to itch.

Yeast is normally present in small amounts in your skin but if you produce too much it can cause an infection.

You may notice moist, shiny areas on your penis and white stuff in the folds of your skin, along with a rash, according to the Mayo Clinic.

 Making sure your underwear fits properly and you're nice and dry down there can prevent fungal infections
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Making sure your underwear fits properly and you're nice and dry down there can prevent fungal infectionsCredit: Getty - Contributor

2. Intertrigo

Intertrigo is a very common rash that develops in the folds of the skin.

It can cause a red or brown coloured rash, itching, oozing and crusty skin.

And to top it off, it can also give off a nasty smell.

Intertrigo most commonly occurs between the toes and fingers, armpits, inner thighs, the groin and scrotum, crease of the neck and on the bum.

The itchy rash is essentially caused by moisture in the folds of the skin, heat and a lack of air circulation.


EMBARRASSING BODIES From penis eczema to itchy bottoms, we reveal 7 of the most common male health gripes


3. Chafing

We've all had chafing at some point.

Over do it in the gym and your exercise gear will chafe your legs.

And yep, the same thing can happen to your balls.

Chafing can occur anywhere on your body, but the thighs, groin, underarms and even your nipples are particularly vulnerable.

Chafing is an irritation of the skin caused by repetitive friction.

So your Crown jewels could be rubbing against your underwear too much, or they could be rubbing against each other too much.

It's nothing to be too concerned about though.

And the good news is it can be avoided if you wear the right clothes, make sure you're dry down there and use a lube like Vaseline to protect them from rubbing.

 Contact dermatitis is caused by a reaction to allergens like soap and detergent
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Contact dermatitis is caused by a reaction to allergens like soap and detergentCredit: Alamy

4. Contact dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is a type of eczema triggered by contact with a particular substance.

It causes the skin to become red, blistered, dry and cracked, according to the NHS.

This reaction usually occurs within a few hours or days of exposure to an irritant or allergen.

The most common irritants include soaps and detergents.

So if your balls start itching when you buy a new soap or detergent you may want to swap back to what you were using before.

 Pubic lice are tiny parasitic insects that live on coarse human body hair
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Pubic lice are tiny parasitic insects that live on coarse human body hairCredit: Getty - Contributor

5. Crabs or pubic lice

Much like head lice, pubic lice can cause unbearable itching down stairs.

Pubic lice are tiny parasitic insects that live on coarse human body hair.

They are spread through sexual contact but it can take several weeks before symptoms appear.

Once symptoms appear you will likely experience itching, inflammation caused by scratching and blue spots or small spots of blood on your skin caused by their bites.

Itching is the most common symptom of pubic lice and is an allergic reaction to their saliva, according to the NHS.

The itching is usually worse at night, when the lice are most active.

 Genital warts are the second most common STI in the UK and cause small, fleshy growths to appear on the genitals
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Genital warts are the second most common STI in the UK and cause small, fleshy growths to appear on the genitals

6. Genital warts

Another form of itching passed on through sex - genital warts are small fleshy growths that appear on or around the genital area or bum.

In England genital warts are the second most common type of sexually transmitted infection (STI) after chlamydia.

They are a viral skin infection caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV).

The warts are usually painless and do not pose a threat to your health, but they can cause itching for some people.

And they can be ugly to look at which can be upsetting for some people.

It can take months, or even years, for warts to develop after infection with HPV.

So if you're in a relationship and you get genital warts, it does not necessarily mean your partner has been having sex with other people.


HEALTH CHECK Would you know if you had an STI? Here are six signs that you’ve been infected


7. Herpes

Here's one you've probably heard of.

Herpes is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) that causes painful, itchy blisters on the genitals and areas surround them, like your balls.

It is a chronic, long-term condition and the virus remains in your body for the rest of your life.

That means it can become active again.

The HSV is contagious and can be passed on through unprotected sex.

Even if someone with genital herpes doesn't have any symptoms, it's possible for them to pass the condition on to a sexual partner.

Around eight in 10 people who carry the virus are unaware they are, according to the NHS.

 

 Chlamydia and gonorrhoea can cause pain in the testicles
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Chlamydia and gonorrhoea can cause pain in the testiclesCredit: Getty - Contributor

8. Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection that is passed on through discharge from the penis or vaginal fluid.

The most common symptom of gonorrhoea is a thick green or yellow discharge from the vagina or penis.

But it can also cause some itching down there.

It can also cause a burning sensation when you wee, tenderness in the testicles and swelling of the foreskin.

Gonorrhoea is a nasty infection that can cause infection in the testicles and prostate gland which can cause fertility problems if left untreated.

9. Chlamydia

Chlamydia is one of the most common STIs in the UK.

It is particularly common in teenagers and young adults.

In 2013, more than 200,000 people tested positive for chlamydia in England.

Almost 7 in every 10 people diagnosed with the condition were under 25 years old.

If you have chlamydia you may experience pain when you wee, discharge from your penis and pain and swelling in the testicles.

But it can also go undetected because it doesn't always cause symptoms, so it is important to get tested every year.



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